- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
ESPN Matchup Predictor Forecasts Kansas vs BYU Basketball Showdown
The Jayhawks are favored at home, but the Cougars' star freshman poses a tough challenge.
Jan. 31, 2026 at 2:31pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
ESPN's Matchup Predictor forecasts a close game between Big 12 powers Kansas and BYU, with the Jayhawks holding a 62.4% chance of winning at home. The matchup features two potential top NBA draft picks in Kansas' Darryn Peterson and BYU's AJ Dybantsa, making it one of the most anticipated games of the college basketball season.
Why it matters
This game is a clash of two top-ranked teams in the Big 12 conference, with major implications for their conference and national standings. The individual matchup between projected NBA lottery picks Peterson and Dybantsa also adds significant star power and intrigue to the contest.
The details
BYU enters the game with a 17-3 record and a 5-2 mark in Big 12 play, coming off a tough loss to top-ranked Arizona. Kansas is 3.5-point betting favorites at home, where they have an impressive 175-15 record under head coach Bill Self. The Jayhawks are led by star guard Darryn Peterson, who has battled injuries this season but is expected to play. BYU's offense revolves around freshman sensation AJ Dybantsa, who is putting up 23.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.
- The game is set to tip off on February 27, 2024 inside Allen Fieldhouse.
- This will be the 1,000th game ever played in Allen Fieldhouse.
The players
Darryn Peterson
A star guard for the Kansas Jayhawks who is considered a top NBA draft prospect.
AJ Dybantsa
A freshman sensation for the BYU Cougars who is putting up impressive stats and is also viewed as a potential high NBA draft pick.
Bill Self
The long-time head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks, who has led the team to great success at home in Allen Fieldhouse.
Kevin Young
The second-year head coach of the BYU Cougars, who has quickly transformed the program.
What’s next
The game between Kansas and BYU is scheduled for February 27, 2024 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas.
The takeaway
This highly anticipated matchup between two top-ranked Big 12 teams features a clash of NBA-caliber talent, with Kansas' Darryn Peterson and BYU's AJ Dybantsa leading their respective squads. The Jayhawks' home-court advantage and strong track record under Bill Self make them the favorites, but the Cougars' impressive season and Dybantsa's individual brilliance ensure this will be a must-watch game for college basketball fans.
